Am I eligible for NDIS funding?
Our Easy Read guide to NDIS eligibility
Updated: December 2024
It can be difficult to understand whether you can get the NDIS.
The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) helps people with disabilities to live their best lives.
It helps you live more independently, achieve goals, and take part in the community.
It gives funding for supports like carers, therapy, equipment, or help to join community activities.
Here we look at how to find out whether you can get NDIS support.
What is the NDIS?
The NDIS is for people who:
- Have a disability that makes everyday life harder
- Are Australian citizens or permanent residents
- Are under 65 when they apply
- If you’re eligible, the NDIS can pay for things that help you live more independently, like support workers or mobility equipment.
- Eligible means you can get support services because you meet the rules.
Do I meet the NDIS eligibility?
To be eligible for the NDIS, you must meet three main rules:
Rule 1: Age
You must be aged under 65 years old when you apply.
Rule 2: Residency
You need to be:
- An Australian citizen, or
- A permanent resident, or
- Someone with a Protected Special Category Visa (like some people from New Zealand).
Rule 3: You meet the Disability rules.
You have a permanent disability that makes daily life harder.
What are the disability requirements?
To get help from the NDIS, you need to have a disability that meets certain rules. These rules are called the disability requirements.
To meet the NDIS disability requirements, the NDIS will need to know:
Is your disability caused by an impairment?
An impairment is a loss of or damage to your body’s function. It might be:
🗣️ Intellectual: How you speak, listen, read, write, solve problems, and remember things.
🤔 Cognitive: How you think, learn, make decisions, and focus.
🧠 Neurological: How your body works, like your brain, nerves, or muscles.
👁️ Sensory: How you see or hear.
🦵 Physical: How you move your body or control your movements.
The NDIS has a list of conditions that will probably be covered. You can see this list here.
Is your disability permanent?
This means your disability won’t go away.
Doctors or specialists have said your condition is lifelong.
The NDIS has a list of conditions that are likely to be permanent. You can see this list here.
Does your disability affect your life?
This means your disability makes it hard for you to do daily tasks like:
🚿 Showering or dressing yourself.
🍳 Cooking or cleaning your home.
🏫 Going to school, work, or the shops.
👥 Communicating with people.
🧑🏫 Learning new things.
🫱🏼🫲🏼 Making friends and socialising.
Do you need extra support for your lifetime?
Is it likely that you will need extra help over your lifetime. Supports might include:
- A carer or support worker.
- Special equipment, like a walker or communication device.
- Modifications to your home or car to make them easier to use.
- Even if your needs go up and down, you will still need help.
Do you need NDIS supports?
The NDIS will want to make sure you need NDIS supports. You can read more about NDIS supports.
What’s next - How to apply for the NDIS
If you think you’re eligible for the NDIS, you should make an access request. To do this, call 1800 800 110 or send the Access Request form through email.
Don’t worry. Many people find the process confusing, and that’s why there are many people who can help.
You can talk to your NDIA Planner, LAC, or support coordinator.
You can also talk to Five Good Friends. We can help you.
- We can explain the rules in simple terms.
- Help gather information for your application.
- Connect you with the right services for your needs.
Can Five Good Friends help you? Get in touch with us.
